Has anybody been to these countries at this time of year? I'm planning modest dress for Egypt and will always have a scarf if I feel I need to cover my head, and I know not to pack dark colours (tsetse flies), red (distracts the animals) or white (dirt magnet!) for Kenya. I always keep my case at no more than 10 kilos. What kinds of clothing/layers would you suggest for a safari in Kenya?
Thanks.
We spent most of January in Egypt at the beginning of Covid. It was very cold! Because we had spent time in London we had our down coats with us. We needed to wear them, also gloves, scarves in Egypt. Others on our tour went shopping for winter outerwear in Cairo. Better than heat any day.
Two friends and I spent two weeks in Egypt in January 2022. I was very surprised at how cold it was for several days. i brought - and needed - polar fleece vest, down jacket, scarf, and gloves. I slept in my leggings, socks, polar fleece and more layers some nights. We were told that it was an unseasonably cold spell; you may not have that weather, but we were VERY glad to have some warm clothes with us.
One thing to keep in mind is that Nairobi is almost at 6000 feet which means that even though it is close to the equator, the temps will be lower. Also, early morning and late evening drives will be cold - Check if you will need hat and gloves
We did Egypt in January and Kenya/Tanzania last August.
Egypt, I was in Egypt in December 1985 and didn't have any cold temps like we had this January. The cruise ships and hotels didn't have central heat and we were chilled, especially at night and early morning, late evening.
Take a WARM jacket with gloves and hat to protect yourself from the sun. The sun is brutal.
Didn't have a bug problem in Egypt.
Kenya/Tanzania
Even though we were near the Equator, the altitude was high enough for us to encounter chilly weather. Still, our hotels had heat.
Don't take dark clothing. We took anti-malaria meds before going and during our safari. Also, we go the yellow fever vaccine and hepatitis vaccine for two types of hepatitis. Also, updated other vaccines.
We took bug repellant and used it some. In some places bugs weren't bad.
Take clothing with layers. I took long sleeve safari shirts that I purchased at a sporting goods store. Also, safari trousers. Safari clothing was light weight and had several pockets for items.
My wife had a great safari hat with a misquito net that she could deploy if needed. I had a safari hat as well. (not a baseball hat).
Sarah Murdoch, a former RS tour guide, has done several packing videos. A recent video was her packing for a trip to "Southern Africa and Safari." There may be some ideas to help you out.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FbUzX0mR9dY
Sue, thanks for that link. I found another one of Sarah's that deals with Egypt, too: Packing-- 6 weeks in Turkey, Egypt, India and Jordan
Yes, I follow Sarah and I saw her most recent video. I'm looking forward to her follow up.
I was a bit surprised to see comments about the cold. I noticed some responders are from the southern US and a few didn't put locations. I wonder if my idea of cold is the same as yours. The climate where I live is Seattle-like but with less rain. Fortunately, I will be stopping in England for a few days before so I will have some colder weather clothes.
I was a bit surprised to see comments about the cold. I noticed some responders are from the southern US and a few didn't put locations. I wonder if my idea of cold is the same as yours.
Ha, Kerri, I do think that people from hardier climates have a different idea of cold that others from warmer climates. When I was planning for my Scotland trip in May, some told me to pack much warmer clothes than I actually did.
I'm from Duluth and temps in the 40's here feel like a heat wave, so it takes pretty cold weather to get me to bundle up. 😊 Keep that in mind when you plan your packing. I would check the weather history for 5 or so years and that should give you a good idea of the temps, and what you might need.
We are from balmy southern California, and when in Egypt in February 2019, we found it was not cold at all. We never used our lightweight sleeveless jackets, and while on the open top deck of our boat the most I needed was a lightweight shawl, and then only in the evening after dinner. Perhaps we were extraordinarily lucky, but our temps were just about perfect, never too hot or cold. I wish you luck with the weather, and believe me, a little cold in January is WAY better than the Egyptian heat of spring or summer!
When in Kenya for 8 days in April a few years earlier, British Air lost our luggage for the first four days of our trip, and being in safari camps, we couldn't buy new underwear, sundries, etc. Thus, I can't really comment on your clothes for Kenya. (They lost our luggage on the return home also.)
Bon voyage and have fun!
